BattlefieldsBattle of Crabstane
Tudor

Battle of Crabstane

1571
Aberdeenshire, Scotland
Also known as: Battle of Craibstane · Battle near Aberdeen 1571
Era
Tudor
Battle Type
Pitched Battle
Location
Aberdeenshire, Scotland
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Forbes and allies
Forces
Forbes/allies c.350–550 at Crabstane.
VS
Victor
Gordons (Huntly)
Forces
Gordon (Huntly) c.400–600
Outcome
Gordon victory outside Aberdeen; Forbes driven away
The Battle

History & Significance

Another episode in the Forbes-Gordon feud — a battle fought on the Crabstane (a landmark stone) near Aberdeen. Huntly's Gordon force defeated a Forbes-led coalition outside the city. The religious dimension was pronounced: the Gordons remained Catholic while the Forbes clan were enthusiastic Protestants, making each engagement part of the broader Reformation conflict.

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